The Happiness Project

Try Fun, Quick Exercises to Boost Your Creativity.

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:25:00 GMT

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too ! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in -- no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about...(read more)

In Which I Get Teary Reading My Own Book

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:00 GMT

This week, I finished the audiobook for The Happiness Project . As I’d expected, it made me very happy to learn to do something new and to get a glimpse into the unfamiliar world of sound recording. It was also thrilling to learn that none other than...(read more)

Fifteen Tips to Avoid Nagging

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:26:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Back by popular demand...fifteen tips to avoid nagging. I've posted this list before, but I'm posting it again, because the issue of nagging is something that people raise with me frequently in discussions of...(read more)

Learn New Skills, Ask Questions, Practice Yoga—and Only Travel With a Carry-On

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:50:00 GMT

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my study of happiness, I’ve noticed that I often learn more from one person’s highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail...(read more)

Some Counterintuitive Facts About Loneliness

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:18:00 GMT

Sometimes people ask, “If you had to pick just one thing, what would be the one secret to a happy life?” The answer is clear: strong bonds with other people . If I had to pick one thing, that’s it. The wisdom of the ages and the current scientific studies...(read more)

"We Are Never So Much Disposed to Quarrel as When ..."

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:42:00 GMT

“We are never so much disposed to quarrel with others as when we are dissatisfied with ourselves.”—William Hazlitt Yet another reason why we have a duty to be happy . I know I'm less quarrelsome when I'm happy. * I'm not a foodie, so I don't often explore...(read more)

Take Your Time. Especially When You’re in a Hurry.

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:24:00 GMT

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too ! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in—no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about your...(read more)

The Happiness of Doing Something New: the Audiobook Version

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:37:00 GMT

People often ask, “What's something surprising that you've learned about happiness?” Here's one thing: I was very surprised by the truth of the principle that novelty and challenge bring happiness . I believed that this observation was true for a lot...(read more)

Eleven Myths of De-Cluttering

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:27:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day (or Quiz Day or List Day). This Wednesday: Eleven myths of de-cluttering. One of my great realizations about happiness (and a point oddly underemphasized by positive psychologists) is that outer order contributes to inner calm...(read more)

Happiness: Summing Up a Big Idea in a Short Sentence

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:09:00 GMT

Although it may seem reductive, I think people grasp and remember great truths better when they’re snappily summed up. I love epigrams, aperçus, apothegms, and aphorisms of all sorts, and I try to to sum up my happiness conclusions in catchy, yet of course...(read more)

How to Make Yourself Feel Happier.

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:02:00 GMT

My First Splendid Truth is: To be happier, you have to think about feeling good , feeling bad , and feeling right , in an atmosphere of growth . Although this sounds like a simple and rather obvious formula, it took me a huge amount of time and thinking...(read more)

Act the Way You Want To Feel

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:19:00 GMT

Which Websites and Blogs Improve Your Happiness?

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:21:00 GMT

On the Inspiration Board of the Happiness Project Toolbox , people have posted a staggeringly interesting array of happiness-related quotations, images, book suggestions, and Web site recommendations. It seems like a good idea to create a place here where...(read more)

Eight Tips for Boosting Your Energy

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:27:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Eight tips for boosting your energy. Feeling energetic is a key to feeling happy. Studies show that when you feel energetic, you feel much better about yourself. On the other hand, when you feel exhausted, tasks...(read more)

Hugging Kids and Drinking Pinot Noir—but Not Going Blonde

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:18:00 GMT

A Secret to Happiness That I Overlooked—Until Now

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:25:00 GMT

A significant factor in happiness is the hedonic treadmill , or hedonic adaptation . People are adaptable. We quickly adjust to a new life circumstance—for better or worse—and consider it normal. Although this helps us when our situation worsens, it means...(read more)

"Natural Inclinations ... Are Hardly Ever Altered or Overcome"

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:20:00 GMT

“Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome.”—Montaigne This brief line from Montaigne is probably one of the top three biggest influences on the decisions I make as a parent—along with...(read more)

A Fundamental Secret to Happiness? Get Enough Sleep.

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:24:00 GMT

Five Don’ts for a Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Five great “don’ts” of a happiness project. Several people have said to me, “When you’re making a resolution, it’s better not to say ‘No’ or ‘Don’t’ to yourself. You should keep it positive. Find ways to say...(read more)

Ask for Help: Want To Make a Short Video?

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:35:00 GMT

One of my surprisingly difficult happiness-project resolutions is to ask for help —and now I’m asking. The Internet has changed a lot about publishing. There are many new ways to reach readers—and that means a lot of new tasks for writers. This can be...(read more)